8 SIMPLE Ways to Have a More Energized 2013

It’s a New Year and a new energized you is on the way! Check out the simple ways we fight fatigue and stay energized throughout the day with these 8 easy to implement strategies.

1. Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of pure water, mineral rich water, and herbal teas as well water-rich foods like fruits and veggies. Dehydration can cause cravings for sugar and salt, headache, irritability and nausea. Our bodies are mostly made up of water and our cells needs lots of it, in order to maintain balance. Set a goal to drink half of your body weight in ounces.  If you’re 150 pounds then you should have 75 ounces or 9 1/2 cups of water, tea and water-rich foods.   Try one of our favorite drinks, Harmless Harvest Coconut Water.  It’s packed with electrolytes and has no artificial sweeteners!

2. Limit Caffeine – You may be fooled by the quick fix of coffee or red bull, that claim to boost your energy and mental alertness but these are actually energy drainers in the long run.  Caffeine is a stimulant and it energizes your body temporarily. Your body gets accustomed to this energy and then it actually needs it in order to function.  It is highly addictive.  Instead, try reaching for green tea, which has a very low amount of caffeine and numerous health benefits.  Try Yogi Super Anti-Oxidant OR the herbal coffee, Teeccino.

3. Eat Sea Vegetables – This is one of the healthiest vegetables out there.  They have an abundance of minerals and trace minerals required by our body.  They are excellent sources iodine, calcium, and iron.  The iodine in seaweed tones the thyroid gland to promote healthy metabolism and weight loss.  Seaweeds also remove heavy metals from your body, and contribute to beautiful skin.  Eating a lot of  sea vegetables per day is not necessarily better but variety is key because they vary greatly in nutrients.  Some varieties include Arame, wakame, hijiki, dulse, nori, kombu and kudzu.  A very simple and delicious way to get your daily dose is miso soup with seaweed. Try this for a snack or as part of a meal. Another option is trying a green drink.  Our favorite is “Green Vibrance” by Vibrance Health.  You can purchase them in single use packets so you always have one on the go.

4. Cut back on Refined Sugar, Processed foods & Eliminate Sugar Substitutes – After lunch do you often feel like you just wanted to take a long nap? Most likely your meal with the diet cola was filled with refined and artificial sugars and processed foods, which converts to sugar. These sugars (artificial and processed) enter your blood stream quickly and we’ve all learned that what goes up must come down.  That means you are left feeling exhausted, emotional highs and low, headache and foggy thinking.   Next time you’re hungry try to consciously choose a healthy meal.  An energized meal option would be a grilled chicken and avocado wrap. Take a palm sized grilled chicken, 1/4 avocado, lettuce, tomato, other vegetable fillings if you desire and roll it all up in a sprouted tortilla.

5. Try A Fun Gym Class with a Buddy –  This one is definitely our favorite way to get a natural high! Grab a friend and head to a spin class, yoga, dance, circuit training, anything that will get your heart pumping! Exercise does far more than just combat your weight. It combats health conditions such as high blood pressure. Being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Exercise also improves mood, promotes better sleep and enhance your sex life — how many more reasons do you need??

6. Get a Better Night Sleep – Getting an adequate amount of quality sleep is vital to having energy through out the day.   It’s so hard to wind down after a long, stressful day and therefore your sleep is compromised.  Try to practice a routine of quieting the mind and body by stopping all work and computer activity at least half hour before bedtime. Try to eat your last meal three to four hours before bed.  You don’t want your body to concentrate on digesting at this time. Also, sip on some chamomile tea, it is super calming and soothing after dinner.

7. Eat  Breakfast – Your body is starving when you first wake up in the morning.  Refuel, recharge by setting up your mind and body up to have a great day by having your first meal within an hour of waking up.  We’re all super busy in the morning but having a breakfast can make or break your day.  We dare you to experiment.  Try these fast and easy breakfasts that you can even take with you on the run. We guarantee that you will notice a difference.

• – Hard-boiled eggs with a slice of whole wheat toast.  Try Ezekiel whole grain sprouted bread
• – Make your own yogurt parfait.  1/2 cup of yogurt, 1/4c all natural granola, handful of berries and sliced almonds
• – Ezekiel Cinnamon raisin english muffins with almond butter and 1/2 banana

8.  Eat Every 4 to 5 Hours to Prevent Dips in Blood Sugar – Eating small meals or a meal then a snack every few hours provides consistent and lasting energy through out the day.  It also maintains a balanced blood sugar level, which will create mental clarity and sharpness that can increase your productivity and creativity.  You thought there was no such thing as a quick fix.  We created some easy to make snacks that you can keep at your office or even grab at your local store.

• Lara Bars    www.larabar.com
• Apple with 1 tbs of almond butter
• Banana Almond butter sandwich – cut the banana length wise and smear almond butter on it
• Turkey roll ups – Lay out an all natural real turkey slice, spread with mustard, throw some romaine lettuce on there for a crunch and a few pieces of avocado and roll it all  up. You can munch on 2 or 3 of these and you are good to go!
• Hard-boiled egg and an apple

Implementing these 8 simple strategies will give you all of the energy you need  and more to take this year on to create, share, laugh and love!

Authors: Nikki Ostrower & Jaimie Bailey, Stable Eats